Assumptions.

                  

When we make contact with the real God.

Or more precisely when the real God makes contact with us.

We are prone to making assumptions.

We assume that we are always right.

We assume that we are worthy.

We assume that we are better than others.

There are many things that we assume.

Theological assumptions.

Philosophical assumptions.

Theoretical assumptions.

When Abraham migrated to the land of the Canaanites he assumed that God had promised possession of this land to him and his descendants.

This has been disputed ever since.

And it is still disputed today.

When Moses was presented with some guidelines for the Israelites he assumed that making more guidelines was even better.

Hence we have the 613 laws.

King David assumed that because God favored him He would destroy his enemies and make him victorious in battle.

But these things are by no means certain.

When Jesus came he clarified many of these things.

But many assumptions have been made about Jesus as well.

Jesus' Virgin Birth, his Divinity, his physical Resurrection, his Ascension, his Second Coming.....

All of these things have been questioned.

So what can we be sure of?

Jesus said that the first and greatest commandment was: "'"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind."'"  Matthew 22:37 (NRSV)

"'And a second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."'"  Matthew 22:39 (NRSV)

And, "'I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.'"  John 13:34 (NRSV)

This is certain.

The Bhagavad-Gita says:

"To love is to know me,
My innermost nature,
The truth that I am:
Through this knowledge he enters
At once to my being."

"Give me your whole heart,
Love and adore me,
Worship me always,
Bow to me only,
And you shall find me:
This is my promise
Who love you dearly."

This is sure.

So, rather than assuming possession of land, or victory in battle, or winning out against our enemies, we should try to love people and make peace.

Nothing else is sure.


[Scripture quotation (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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